W. Jackson Tough, 52, is the new Fort Scott Tourism Manager.
“I have some commitments related to my position as the El Dorado Springs, Missouri Chamber of Commerce CEO/Executive Director so I will be full-time as of Monday, June 21,” Tough said. “However, I do plan to attend some functions and meetings to immerse myself into the new position before the start date.”
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time around Fort Scott the past two and a half years since my wife, Michele Love Tough is a life-long resident,” he said. “We reside just south of town, adjacent to the family farm near her parents, Bob and Joyce Love.”
“I’ve spent many years in marketing and promotion, from broadcast media in Springfield to promoting businesses and communities in a rural area.,” Tough said.” I’m a native of El Dorado Springs, Missouri which is just about thirty-six miles east of Fort Scott.”
Tough has been the CEO / Executive Director at El Dorado Springs, MO Chamber of Commerce – from September 2012 to June 2021.
“As the El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, I was deeply involved in our community on many levels,” he said.” I participated on many boards and committees; Discover More on Route 54 which promotes the US Highway 54 corridor from Jefferson City to Nevada, the Opera House Theater board which is about maintaining the historic theater and promotion of the arts (especially for our youth), the El Dorado Springs R-2 Schools Capital Improvements Committee, the Spring City Revitalization Group as well as all of the committees through the chamber organization.
“I really look forward to taking an active role in Fort Scott as well!”
“I developed professional networks, created marketing plans for our organization and community, and united business and community leaders,” Tough said. “Along with our members and staff, I developed and coordinated community events including National Day of Prayer, Clean-Up El Do Campaign, Annual Excellence in El Dorado Springs Awards Gala and coordinated monthly chamber luncheons for 50-60 attendees.”
“I also developed and implemented tourism activities, attractions, and events including Patriot Parkway – forty-eight US flags (on 48 utility poles) along a one mile stretch of US Highway 54 in El Dorado Springs, Spring City-Wide Sale, Labor Day Weekend 100 Mile Sale from Camdenton to Nevada, Spring City Spooktacular is a Halloween event that draws hundreds to the community, Christmas Parade, Lighting Celebration, and our annual Holiday Expo among others.”
“I Initiated and coordinated community betterment projects, published a weekly e-newsletter, and I’m the primary administrator for our social media and press releases,” he said.
Before that, he was the marketing and events director for Spring City Revitalization Group (El Dorado Springs, MO) from October 2006 to August 2012.
In this job he developed and coordinated marketing and events for downtown revitalization including grants, an annual chili cook-off, summer concert series, and more, he said.
From 1999 to 2005 Tough was the station and sales manager for Clear Channel Communications (Springfield, MO).
In this position, he designed marketing strategies and promotional events with staff on behalf of clients to increase their business revenue and market share, as well as managed daily sales operations for US97 and ESPN 1400. He was also an on-air personality and voiceover production.
Tough attended El Dorado Springs, MO R-2 Schools, and Missouri State University.
Tough has a new bride, Michele Love Tough, two daughters in college, both studying in the medical field, two “bonus” daughters, one in El Dorado Springs and one in Frederick, Maryland and three grandsons.
“I see a lot of opportunities here and I believe Fort Scott has so much to offer visitors! ” Tough said. “I know quite a bit about the community but I also believe I bring “fresh eyes” to the community and to our tourism.”
Fort Scott Public Library will be opening to the public on June 1st. Our hours will be 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Masks are not required, but patrons are encouraged to follow the current CDC recommendations. We will have hand sanitizer and a supply of disposable masks available for those who need them.
Patrons are asked to limit browsing the stacks to thirty minutes. Newspapers and magazines may be checked out for reading at home. We will not have a seating area for reading in the library.
We will continue to have our “curbside” service for those who prefer it.
We realize this service has been popular, as we’ve had 3,730 scheduled pickups of over 13,000 materials. We are renaming it NextDayGrab&Go. If you wish to use this service, place holds on items or let us know what items you need, then arrange with library staff as to what date and time you plan to come pick up your items. We will have them checked out and ready for you to pick up at the downstairs circulation desk. Just tell us your account number when you come in. If you prefer, we can place them in the entryway where we’ve been placing items for patrons to pick up.
Also we will still have our themed book bags available to check out. These include 10 books on a topic either for kids Birth – 1st Grade or for kids 2nd – 5th Grades.
We keep a list at the circulation desks of the topics currently available. You can arrange to check out book bags when you’re here to browse the stacks by letting us know a day ahead of time, or you can schedule NextDayGrab&Go, and we’ll have the book bags ready for you to pick up. The books need to be returned. The bag, and any goodies in it, are for the child to keep.
For a few weeks, we will still be calling everyone with holds available to check out at the library. Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you are coming in person to check out items, and they will be located at the upstairs circulation desk. If you haven’t already set your account to receive email or text notifications about holds, staff can assist you. Sadly, T-Mobile and Sprint cannot send library text notifications, so you’ll need to arrange for notifications by email if you have those providers. We will continue to call anyone who doesn’t set their account to receive emails or texts, so don’t worry if you prefer to hear our voices.
Items can be returned in the book drop or inside the library at either circulation desk. If you have items that belong to Fort Scott Public Library that have already been processed as unreturned and are still in good condition, you can return them until June 30th , and we will remove the charges from your account. If you have items that belong to other libraries that have already been processed as unreturned, we have already paid the owning library for the items, and your account won’t be reinstated until you reimburse Fort Scott Public Library.
We have set up several temporary stations downstairs for wifi use in the library. These stations and the public computers are limited to one hour’s use per day. We will be adding software soon that will make it easier for patrons to remember if they’ve already used the library computers by logging in with their library cards.
Our public restrooms and drinking fountain are available for use. We still are not accepting donations of any materials. Weather permitting, we will continue to place free books on the north lawn.
Library programming continues to be virtual. Follow us on Facebook or check our website fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to see our program schedule. We are beginning some new programming on the library’s Discord Server, including coloring for all ages, online jigsaw puzzles, and many teen programs. You can sign up for our Discord Server through our Facebook or website.
Coming soon, we will have wifi hotspots for patrons to check out. These devices will allow you to connect devices to wifi from home or anywhere that can find a cell tower.
The library will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 4th and will be closed on Saturday, June 5th for Good Ol’ Days.
5/27 & 5/28 – 6A State Baseball Tournament @ LaRoche Baseball Complex, click here for bracket.
5/28 thru 5/31- Fort Scott National Historic Site Honor the Fallen, Memorial Weekend “Symbols of Sacrifice”, Click here to join the FSHS in placing the flags for the Field of Honor Friday morning at 9 am & learn more about this event.
5/28 – WW II Sailor Returns Home, William Barnett. Graveside service at 1:30 p.m. open to the community & visitors, park outside the National Cemetary gates and walk/be escorted to service.
5/28 – Museum of Creativity Open Play Session Click hereto view all the crafts, games, exhibits we will be having from 10 am -2 pm & 4 ~ 8 pm. 209.275.2372
5/28 & 5/29 2021 Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sales Downtown & around Fort Scott!. Clickhere to see all the participating retailers. Two or more stores will also be doing an in-store drawing for a special gift.
5/28 & 5/29 Trolley Tours depart from The Fort Scott Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. 50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott, leaving from the Chamber & Visitor Center Fridays (11 am, 12 pm 1 pm and 2 pm) & Saturdays (10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm) throughout the summer. $6 adults, $4 children.
5/28 & 5/29 FSHS Tiger Drama Camp Performs “The Legend of Mulan” Friday at 7 pm, and again on Sat. at 2 pm. Click Here to read the full details of showtimes, location, and fees.
5/28 – 7 pm Friday Night Concerts at Heritage Park Pavilion ~ Rick Hite on the Guitar & Vocalist. Click here to see more details on this event.
5/28 & 5/29- Livestock Sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page
5/28 – Friday Night Karaoke at The Boiler Room! 7 PM. The Boiler Room Brewhaus.2 S. National Ave.
5/28 | 6/3 – Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes
Now showing: A Quite Place2, Cruella & Those Who Wish Me Dead. Click here to view showtimes.
5/29 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
5/29 thru 5/30 – Dave Regan Memorial 14 U Baseball Tournament @ LaRoche Baseball Complex. So, give a welcome to baseball players & families! Click here for 14U bracket.
5/29 – Woodland Hills Memorial Weekend, 4-Person Scramble. See the full schedule here.
5/29 – Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Memorial day all weekend! Visit www.ksrockspark.com for more info.
5/31 – American Legion Post 25 Memorial Day Services. Click here for the event schedule.
5/31 – Memorial Day @ 4 pm at The Fort Scott National Historic Site. Patriotic music by Pat & Steve Harry, followed by the final flag retreat for the weekend.
Looking Forward to a week of upcoming events!
6/2 – Chamber After Hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Lyons Realty Group at 5:15 pm. Everyone welcome! Clickherefor details of this event.
6/3 – Chamber Coffee hosted by Good Ol’ Days Committee at 8 am, Skubitz Plaza.
6/3 thru 6/6 – Midwest Showcase Tournament I @ LaRoche Baseball Complex. Clickhere to see more details about this event.
6/4 – Extrusions/Win-Vent Customer/Employee Appreciation Golf Outing @ Woodland Hills Golf Course. See the full schedule here.
6/3 – Good Ol’ Days Talent Show |6 pm at Memorial Hall. Tickets $6. Purchase at the door or in advance at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 – Good Ol’ Days Chicken Dinner |4:30~6 pm. Tickets $8 at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 – Good Ol’ Days Parade celebrating 40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun @ 6 pm. The deadline to register (free) in Parade is 6/3 at 1 pm. Click here to apply online or forms are available at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 & 6/5 – Good Ol’Days Parade celebrating 40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun! Click here to see details on vendors and festivities.
Leah Bowman, administrative assistant, Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Community Development manager, Carla Farmer, FSACF chairperson, and Tom Robertson, Buck RunCommunity Center director. Submitted photo.
The City of Fort Scott recently announced plans to open a roller skating rink for individuals of all ages to enjoy.
Leading up to this decision, volunteers and others researched the concept of a roller skating rink to determine if it would be a viable venture in Fort Scott.
When it was determined that there was community support for a roller skating rink, the opportunity to purchase 120 pairs of skates and a rack presented itself to the City.
In response to a grant application received by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, a special mid-year grant for $5,900 was awarded to the City toward the purchase of 120 pairs of skates and a rack.
“The Foundation annually holds a granting process beginning the first of August culminating with the announcement of the grants at a Chamber coffee in November,” said Carla Farmer, FSACF chair. “On several occasions in past years since the Foundation was established, we have awarded a mid-year grant that meets the criteria of addressing a compelling need in the community and/or the timing of the request cannot be delayed until the annual granting cycle. The Foundation Board recognizes that not all needs in our community present themselves during the granting cycle and we are pleased to be able to respond to this special request.”
FSACF awarded $36,250 to 18 not-for-profits in 2020 during its 12th annual granting cycle. The funds for these grants are derived from interest earned each year from the Foundation’s unrestricted endowment. Several of the organizations receiving funding included U-234 third grade music program, Lowell Milken Center Ft. Scott Front Line Heroes, Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition rent/utilities assistance, Care to Share, First United Methodist Feeding Families In His Name and Compassionate Ministries ID and Winter Warming Project.
Gregg Motley, granting committee chair, along with his committee, reviewed the application and final approval was made by the Board.
“When we have an opportunity to support the other positive things happening in our Community, we believe we are truly fulfilling the mission of the Foundation,” Motley stated.
For more information on the Foundation, visit FSACF.com or call 224-6500.
“The Legend of Mulan” production will be featured on May 28 and 29 at Fort Scott High School. This is the first “normal” drama production of the school year, according to FSHS Drama Teacher Angie Bin.
The playwright, Kathryn Schultz Miller describes the show as an epic journey over mountains, rivers, through hills and valleys of fear and courage and human emotions of a girl who wants to make her mark and leave the world a better place, according to Bin in a press release.
Angie Bin from her Facebook page.
For two weeks, 40 students, first through ninth grade, have spent preparing for the production.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on May 28 and 2 p.m. on May 29 at the
Fort Scott High School Auditorium.
The character of Mulan is played by 8th grader Ashley Cannon. Other notable characters include Captain Cheng, portrayed by freshman Mykael Lewis; Pika the Rabbit played by 6th grader Abel Chaplin and 7th grader Chrislen Newman; Imoogi the Dragon played by 7th graders Izzy Budd and Ana Rupprecht; and Momo, the Emperor’s Assistant, played by freshman Kaiden Clary, according to the press release.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians.
FSHS Senior Christina King is the director, assisted by sophomore Regen Wells who also serves as stage manager and choreographer Kinsley Davis, a junior.
Technical staff include sophomore Lexi Hill – lighting designer, senior Khris Patel – sound designer, senior Breena Cox – music
director, sophomore Silvia Moreno – props and set designer, and junior Izzy Carreno – music operator. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders.
Adults are $8 and children are $6. There may be tickets available for purchase at the door, but seating is limited. Masks and social distancing are required. Doors open 30
minutes prior to showtime.
About Drama Camp
Campers learn all aspects of performing. From Facebook.
Teacher Angie Bin started Tiger Drama Camp in 2014 as a way to teach younger children about the art of theatre both on the stage and behind the scenes.
“Several years ago we decided to expand the camp into a full production,” she said. “The first week is focused on introducing students to ways to use their bodies and voices on stage and how to design the technical elements of the theatre such as lighting, sound, costuming, make-up, and set design. The second week is focused on technical and dress rehearsals to prepare for the public performances.
“The camp is led by high school drama students who also utilize the production as a fundraiser to assist them in traveling to the Kansas State and International Thespian festivals or Broadway Tours in New York City,” Bin said.
“We have found that holding drama camp at the end of May is ideal as it does not interfere with other recreational activities or high school camps,” she said. “It also allows our high school drama students to begin designing the set and costuming before the school year ends. It is a great way for the students to jump-start their summer activities.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic affected how Bin taught drama students.
“We were initially set to produce ‘The Legend of Mulan’ last summer, but were unable to due to the pandemic,” she said. “Our performances this year have been very different from our normal production year.”
“We decided to shift our musical from the fall to the spring this year and were unable to hold our annual children’s Christmas show,” Bin said. “Our fall production was ‘The Monologue Show (from Hell)’ which allowed our students to rehearse in small numbers and as students were quarantined, they were able to still participate by video or through Zoom.”
“Instead of mounting a full-scale musical in the spring, we opted for a musical revue with individual solos and small group numbers and performed it in conjunction with our annual ‘Royal-Tea Party.’ ‘The Legend of Mulan’ will be our most normal production of the year, although students and audience members will still be masked.”
Upcoming FSHS Drama Events:
FSHS Musical Auditions – Aug. 30 – 31 at 7 p.m.
Ranked the Musical – Nov. 9, 11, 13 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show auditions: Nov. 15 – 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show performances: Dec. 10- 11 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
The 2020-21 International United Miss Kansas Teen Katelyn Burks will be attending this year’s Good Ol’ Days Festival as a part of her summer tour. Burks is excited to kick off the weekend by hosting the Fort Scott Talent Show. Burks also plans to ride in the parade June 4 and sign autographs at the festival June 5.
Burks began her pageant journey five years ago and is eager to represent the state of Kansas at the International United Miss pageant July 2021 at the Seaview Resort in Galloway, NJ.
Burks is a freshman studying communications and marketing at Oklahoma Baptist University where she is building the skillset to spread her platform Connect the Dots: Creating real relationships and connections with those around us.
International United Miss is a scholarship-style pageant system dedicated to the girls and women who represent it. They pride themselves in recognizing the incredible accomplishments of their Queens and competitors, achieved both on and off the pageant stage. The experienced directors (who together have over 35 years of dedication to the pageant community) along with their staff have worked diligently to create a pageant organization focused on the competition aspects that really work the best and that delegates enjoy the most. Beauty is not only on the outside, but the inside as well which is why they have based their system around the aspects of personal judges’ interview, community service and involvement, as well as poise and personality during on stage competitions.
On June 26, a new sport will be added to the offering at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.
A roller skating rink will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, in the small gym at the center.
The cost will be $3 if one owns their own skates and $5 if skates need to be rented, according to Fort Scott Mayor Josh Jones.
“It was (Fort Scott Commissioner) Pete Allen’s idea,” Jones said. “The sponsor’s are the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Community Foundation awarded a grant for (purchasing) the skates”
“I think it’s great we are trying something new for the kids,” Fort Scott Recreation Commission Director and Buck Run Community Center Manager Tom Robertson said. “To bring back roller skating to Fort Scott is an awesome thing.”
The recreation center is providing staff for the skating rink.
There will be staff to check people in and those to hand out skates, and additionally a safety person on the floor “to help those who fall and for help following the safety rules,” Robertson said.
While aimed at the youth of the city, there might be older residents who would like to try the sport again for nostalgic reasons, Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier said.
“Any additional options we can offer the community, make it more attractive,” he said.
“I think we can occasionally step in and partner with another entity such as the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation,” Frazier said.
“A lot of people have worked on bringing this to the community,” he said. “A lot of credit goes to Ally Turvey (Fort Scott’s Community Development Director.)”
“We have a pool, parks, a golf course…I think we are serving our community through these,” Frazier said.
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
This Friday Night Free Concert at the Heritage Park Pavilion, First and Main Street, features artist Rick Hite on the guitar and vocal.
“Rick is a long-time crowd favorite,” Ralph Carlson, event organizer, said. “His repertoire is diverse with a mixture of Gospel, country classics, old standards and some classic rock.”
Hite, a Fort Scott native, retired as a college professor and returned home.
“We look forward to his stylings and artistry,” Carlson said. “Rick will have an open mike period mid-concert, allowing walk-on musicians to show their talents.”
The audience should bring folding chairs as seating is limited.
In the event of adverse weather, the show will be moved to the Common Grounds Coffee Shop on 12 E. Wall St.
This year’s annual Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp performs The Legend of Mulan on May 28 and 29.
Nearly 40 students in 1st through 9th grade have spent two weeks at camp preparing for the production.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on May 28 and 2 p.m. on May 29 at the
Fort Scott High School Auditorium.
The playwright, Kathryn Schultz Miller, describes the show this way, “Mulan inspires us all with a grand desire to be the best we can be: honest, tenacious and brave. She leads us on an epic journey over mountains and rivers — through the hills and valleys of fear and courage and human emotion. Mulan knows it doesn’t matter if she is a boy or a girl. She just wants to make her mark, prove her mettle, and leave the world a better place.”
The character of Mulan is played by 8th grader Ashley Cannon. Other notable characters include Captain Cheng, portrayed by freshman Mykael Lewis; Pika the Rabbit played by 6th grader Abel Chaplin and 7th grader Chrislen Newman; Imoogi the Dragon played by 7th graders Izzy Budd and Ana Rupprecht; and Momo, the Emperor’s Assistant, played by freshman Kaiden Clary.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians.
Senior Christina King is the Director, assisted by sophomore Regen Wells who also serves as Stage Manager and Choreographer Kinsley Davis, a junior.
Technical staff include sophomore Lexi Hill – Lighting Designer, senior Khris Patel – Sound Designer, senior Breena Cox – Music
Director, sophomore Silvia Moreno – Props and Set Designer, and junior Izzy Carreno – Music Operator. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders.
During the 2-week camp, students learn about most technical theatre areas such as lighting, sound, costuming, stagecraft, and make-up. They also help to create the artistic set decor and learn sabre combat.
Tickets for the show should be purchased in advance at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com.
Adults are $8 and children are $6. There may be tickets available for purchase at the door, but seating is limited. Masks and social distancing are required. Doors open 30
minutes prior to showtime.
Stephen Toal in front of the mural he created at Gunn Park for the public to enjoy. Submitted photo.
Stephen Toal saw some graffiti on the wall of the lower level under the No. 1 Shelter House at Gunn Park and decided to use his artistic abilities and do something about it.
“Someone had written some hate graffiti on the wall and I felt the need to cover it with something positive,” Toal said.
“I had spoken with Josh Jones (Mayor of Fort Scott) about doing the project,” Toal said.
One can have a picnic and feed the ducks while enjoying the new mural under the largest rock shelter house in the park, Shelter House #1.
He used his own art materials and spent about 10 hours on the project, he said.
Stephen Toal described himself as ” a long time resident of Fort Scott, a husband, father of three and three step-children.”
Steven Toal and his wife, Stacy, Submitted photos.
Toal also said he is a “recovering addict/alcoholic, who has been clean and sober three years”
“Art is a way to express myself and helps me stay clean,” he said.
The colorful mural is a depiction of springtime, Toal said.
